Dill quoted in BDN article on letting lawns grow naturally

The Bangor Daily News quoted Griffin Dill, an integrated pest management specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, in an article titled, “Why some Mainers are trading the traditional lawn for mini meadows.” The article discussed the practice of letting a lawn grow naturally on its own without mowing, which allows for increased biodiversity, reduces time and resources spent mowing, and is more eco-friendly, according to the article. Dill, a tick expert at the UMaine Extension Tick Identification Lab, responded to concerns that the practice can increase the risk of attracting ticks. Ticks are often found in areas with tall, overgrown plants, so letting a lawn grow naturally could increase their habitat, Dill said. However, they also need damp, shady areas, so if the property is bright and sunny the increase in risk would be minimal, he added.